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HONORABLE CHARLES B. RANGEL
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2007

CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. DAVID DINKINS

Mr. RANGEL: Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, my brother, Mr. David Dinkins, for his public service career, and to congratulate him on his 80th birthday. I feel it quite appropriate to honor David by highlighting his accomplishments and the contributions he has made, and continues to make, to the city of New York and this great Nation.

David Dinkins, born July 10, 1927, in Trenton, NJ, moved to Harlem in 1953 and has been an integral part of New York since then. He served his country during World War II in the United States Marine Corps, and later by entering the world of politics. Mr. Dinkins graduated from Howard University in 1950. With politics on his mind, he decided to further pursue his education at Brooklyn Law School in 1953. Mr. Dinkins went on to start a family, marrying Ms. Joyce Burrows and raising two children, Donna and David Jr., in Harlem.

With the support of his family and friends, Mr. Dinkins became more involved in politics. With friends, including Basil Paterson, Percy Sutton, and myself, we became pioneers in the politics of New York City, eventually being named the ``gang of four.'' David went on to become very influential, swiftly moving up in New York's political structure.

Mr. Dinkins has held numerous positions in New York including: New York State Legislature, and New York city clerk. He was elected Manhattan Borough president in 1985 which was a sign of his determination, as this was his third run for office. Mr. Dinkins later ran for mayor, and was elected on November 7, 1989, becoming the first African American to serve as the mayor of New York City.

Inheriting a city in distress, including a budget deficit close to $2 billion dollars and a seemingly uncontrollable crime rate, David Dinkins had his hands full. The city also faced racial tensions that needed attention quickly, which Mayor Dinkins provided. Mayor Dinkins was able to soothe the city amidst times of turmoil, stemming from disagreements across ethnicities, which were very common during his tenure as mayor. Mr. Dinkins left office after turning the budget deficit into a surplus, and acting as the peacemaker in the city.

As a professor of public affairs at Columbia University, Mr. Dinkins continues to work for others by providing young adults with an education. He is to be commended for his achievements. David Dinkins is a dear friend, and serves as an inspiration to me, as well as many others. As Americans, we should honor him by joining his family in celebration of his 80th birthday.